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The Ladakh administration has approved the creation of the Ladakh Pashmina Development Board (LPDB), the country’s first dedicated institution focused on promoting and developing Ladakhi Pashmina. Approved by Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena, the initiative aims to strengthen the entire Pashmina value chain, improve returns for pastoral communities and position Ladakh as a global hub for authentic Pashmina products. The Board will oversee policy formulation, infrastructure development, branding, certification and export promotion while implementing the Ladakh Pashmina Mission. The programme will focus on enhancing goat productivity, strengthening high-altitude grazing ecosystems, establishing local processing facilities and increasing value addition within the Union Territory. Ladakh is estimated to have nearly 200,000 Pashmina goats, making the sector a key contributor to local livelihoods.
The Ladakh administration has approved the formation of the Ladakh Pashmina Development Board (LPDB), a dedicated institutional framework aimed at strengthening the region’s Pashmina sector and positioning the Union Territory as a global centre for authentic Pashmina products. The decision was approved by Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena in the past week as part of efforts to create a more integrated and sustainable ecosystem around one of Ladakh’s most important traditional industries.
According to officials, the LPDB will be the first dedicated board in India focused exclusively on the development, promotion and global positioning of Ladakhi Pashmina. The initiative is intended to support pastoral communities, improve value realisation across the supply chain and enhance the international visibility of Pashmina products originating from the region.
The Board will operate through two principal bodies. A governing body chaired by the Lieutenant Governor will provide overall strategic direction for the sector, while an executive committee chaired by the Chief Secretary will oversee implementation and operational matters. The governing body will be responsible for approving long-term policy frameworks, infrastructure projects, sectoral initiatives and programmes designed to improve coordination among government departments, financial institutions and industry stakeholders.
Officials stated that the Board will also guide branding, certification, sustainability measures and export promotion efforts to strengthen Ladakh’s position in international markets. The administration believes that a structured institutional mechanism will help ensure that benefits generated by the Pashmina industry are distributed more effectively among local communities.
As part of its broader programme architecture, the LPDB will implement the Ladakh Pashmina Mission. The initiative will focus on improving the productivity and genetic quality of Changthangi goats, the primary source of the region’s prized Pashmina fibre. The mission will also support the development of climate-resilient high-altitude rangelands and introduce measures aimed at protecting grazing resources in the face of environmental challenges.
The Board will additionally work towards establishing local processing infrastructure, encouraging artisan clusters and promoting greater value addition within Ladakh. Efforts will be directed towards transforming raw Pashmina into higher-value finished products within the region rather than relying heavily on external processing and intermediaries.
The administration has also proposed the use of certification systems and digital traceability mechanisms to strengthen authenticity and improve market recognition for Ladakh-origin Pashmina. Participation in international trade fairs and global marketing initiatives will form part of the strategy to position Ladakh Pashmina as a premium luxury fibre in international markets.
According to officials, Ladakh is home to nearly 200,000 Pashmina goats. The establishment of the LPDB is expected to support growth in goat populations, increase incomes for pastoral communities and generate employment opportunities across the textile and handicrafts sectors. Particular emphasis will be placed on improving returns for Changpa nomadic herders, who produce the raw fibre under challenging high-altitude conditions.
The creation of the Board marks a significant policy intervention aimed at strengthening the long-term sustainability, competitiveness and economic contribution of the Pashmina sector within Ladakh.
Source - PTI
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